Norman Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary, nature preserve, environmental education center, and museum at 583 Third Beach Road in Middletown, Rhode Island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In 1949, the Norman Bird Sanctuary was founded through a bequest in the will of Mabel Norman Cerio. The Sanctuary comprises the largest area of preserved open space in Newport County. There are 325 acres and 7 miles of hiking trails. The refuge contains hay fields, woodlands and ridges overlooking the ocean and ponds. Hanging Rock, a prominent local landmark, is located within the sanctuary overlooking the ocean. There is also a Visitor's Center and gift shop, and a 19th-century barn museum featuring displays about the wildlife for children and adults. History The property of the Norman Bird Sanctuary has an agricultural history dating to the early 18th century, when a large tract of land was purchased by Isaac Smith, a descendant of one of the area's first settlers. The main farmhouse on the property is a typical Colonial-era farmhouse, five bays wide with a large central chimney, and dates to about 1755. The property, then , was auctioned to pay debts in 1782; the purchaser was Benjamin Gardiner. In 1898 George Norman, a Newport businessman, purchased the farm, then reduced to about , and it was his daughter Mabel who modernized the house and gave it a more Colonial Revival appearance. This core portion of the sanctuary was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. Gallery See also List of museums in Rhode Island National Register of Historic Places listings in Newport County, Rhode Island Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge References External links Official Norman Bird Sanctuary Wildlife Refuge website The Scenic Third Beach Project—includes a map of the Norman Bird Sanctuary and surrounding area 1950 establishments in Rhode Island Bird observatories in the United States Bird sanctuaries of the United States Buildings and structures completed in 1950 Education in Newport County, Rhode Island Environmental organizations established in 1950 Historic districts in Newport County, Rhode Island Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island Middletown, Rhode Island Museums established in 1950 Museums in Newport County, Rhode Island National Register of Historic Places in Newport County, Rhode Island Natural history museums in Rhode Island Nature centers in Rhode Island Nature conservation organizations based in the United States Nature reserves in Rhode Island Non-profit organizations based in